Habits

No, I am not feeling crabby today. But I know how you all like the photos, and I took this one this morning. It is rare to get such a good view - these guys typically hide deep in the cracks when they hear me coming. I have become accustomed to hearing the sound of their claws as they scurry for safety. At first, it freaked me out to not know where they were, just to hear the noise, but over the months I have come to understand their instinct for self-preservation, for hiding from danger.

Last night I had the second dream I can remember in which I was wearing a mask. Actually at some points in the dream I was wearing it, but for most of the dream I was frantic that I had misplaced it and was in a situation where nobody else had on a mask, we were inside, and I was counting the minutes I was there, hoping it would not be long enough to contract COVID-19.

Apparently wearing a mask is now an ingrained habit. I wondered this morning if I was more like the crabs, wearing my mask to fend off danger to myself, like they scurry for cover, or whether it was more to make others feel safer, as when I move away from the crabs’ hiding spots. It is a mix, of course. The good news is that it is now a habit. So whether I am acting more out of love or fear, I am free not to panic. Wearing a mask is better than scurrying for cover.

I’m curious about new habits you have acquired in these last few months, intentionally or unintentionally, and whether they are life-giving or destructive. Your dreams may provide a clue.